The Peninsula Island Resort & Spa is a beachfront property located on the southern end of South Padre Island. Consisting of two towers separated by a huge swimming pool, this hotel features a spa with Aveda products and a good seaside restaurant. While there is no real lobby and the front desk is in an office opposite the pool, this all-suite property offers the convenience of full kitchens, washer/dryers, and balconies with great views. The most spacious rooms are the three-bedroom suites that feature the best, oceanfront views. Additional perks here include a bright fitness room and upscale touches like granite countertops.

The Isla Grand Beach Resort is one of the few hotels on South Padre Island that is packed with amenities and entertainment. This resort offers bars, restaurants, a nightclub, two pools -- one with a waterfall and flanked by tall palm trees -- tennis courts, volleyball courts, and manicured lawns with tropical landscaping. The Isla Grand has an excellent beachfront location and offers beautiful views of the Gulf of Mexico from private patios or balconies. The hotel offers 128 cabana-style, comfortable rooms with tropical-inspired decor. There are also 65 two-room condos in an adjacent high-rise tower. While this hotel has charming features like squawking macaws and whirring ceiling fans in the lobby, some guests complain about old, dated comforters in the rooms and limited hours at the poolside bar.

The Pearl South Padre is located on the southern tip of the island. This 251-room resort is flanked by a wide, sandy beach and offers a huge outdoor pool with plenty of lounge chairs. Rooms are comfortable and spacious and some are renovated, while all offer private balconies and excellent views of the Gulf of Mexico or outdoor pool. In-room amenities include flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and mini-fridges, but some guests complain about mold issues and inconsistent quality between condos and hotel rooms. The sprawling, lagoon-like swimming pool, spa, and beach location are all very appealing features, although the fitness center has limited equipment.

The Hilton Garden Inn South Padre Island has a scenic, oceanfront location with easy access to gorgeous, sandy beaches via a charming boardwalk. Rooms are comfortable with spacious balconies -- some with ocean views, some with city views -- and free Wi-Fi. Additional freebies include daily breakfast and parking, and the huge outdoor swimming pool with plenty of lounge chairs is also a perk. This hotel is a great pick for its modern amenities including flat-screen TVs and a fitness center, but some guests complain about noise due to thin walls and events in the hotel ballroom.

The La Copa Inn Beach Hotel offers a great waterfront location with easy access to the beach over a pretty wooden walkway. The hotel resembles the local La Quinta Inn, but is slightly more polished. This is a beach hotel for the budget-conscious, with tired hallways and furniture, but a nice outdoor pool with plenty of lounge space. The outstanding feature here is the waterfront location on a popular beach at the southern end of South Padre Island's hotel sprawl. The basic fitness center and small business center are somewhat lackluster, but there's a small snack bar near the swimming pool. Rooms are simple and some offer balconies. While free Wi-Fi and daily breakfast make this hotel great value for the appealing location, some guests complain about wear and tear.

The Suites at Sunchase is a quirky hotel converted from a former shopping center. It is located right on South Padre Island's main street, Padre Boulevard, but not right on the beach. The hotel features contemporary, well-equipped rooms that feel stylish and spacious, but there are no balconies or exceptional views. Additional in-room amenities include mini-kitchens with sinks, microwaves, and mini-fridges. A curvy pool surrounded by palm trees is a nice feature, although it is next to the road. While the lobby feels like a shopping mall and the top-level lounge can be noisy due to loud music, there is free covered parking and an on-site spa.

Comfort Suites is in a convenient, central location for exploring South Padre Island attractions. The 74 rooms are spacious, and feature microwaves and mini-fridges, although some rooms (depending on the category) show wear and tear. This hotel does offer free breakfast and free Wi-Fi -- along with a big outdoor pool surrounded by tall palm trees -- but it isn't located on the beach and there is no fitness center. With tube TVs and tired decor in some rooms, this hotel is a bit dated, but varied room layouts can accommodate groups of different sizes.

This budget hotel offers a wonderful waterfront location on a quiet stretch of beach. Rooms and hallways are showing their age, but the rooms are still clean and functional. Room amenities include microwaves, mini-fridges, and coffeemakers, and the hotel also offers free Wi-Fi and daily breakfast. A small outdoor pool and cramped fitness center are somewhat lackluster amenities, but the appealing location makes it a good value overall.

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites South Padre Island is located on the quiet, northern end of the island. Spacious rooms are modern and offer free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, and microwaves. The resort has a big outdoor pool with relaxing tropical decor and an outdoor shower for rinsing off from the beach, but is lacking in other amenities -- including a decent fitness center. While this hotel is not located directly on the beach, it is only a three-minute walk away along a paved walkway. Additional perks include free breakfast every morning and convenient work desks with ergonomic chairs, but the rooms do lack dramatic views that other South Padre Island hotels offer.